Inmate attempts suicide at Marion jail, officials say

An inmate at the Marion County Jail was hospitalized Saturday when he tried to commit suicide, according to Sheriff's Office officials.

By Austin L. MillerStaff writer

An inmate at the Marion County Jail was hospitalized Saturday when he tried to commit suicide, according to Sheriff's Office officials.

Marion County sheriff's spokesman Capt. Jimmy Pogue said that at about 4:15 p.m. Saturday, inmates in the Charlie Pod Delta section of the jail were banging on doors and yelling for corrections officers to alert them that a man had jumped off the stairway.

Corrections officers rushed to the scene, accompanied by a nurse, officials said. Arriving at the location, officials noticed that inmate Kristopher Kent Winningham, 34 had a slight injury to the back of his head, Pogue said.

Winningham was transported to the hospital, where he was treated, Pogue said.

Authorities say Winningham left a suicide note. However, the contents of the letter were not released.

The area where Winningham jumped is a one-story building, officials said.

The last time an inmate committed suicide or attempted suicide at the Marion County Jail was in late September 2012.

In that incident, John Edward Hummel, 69, died when he jumped from the second floor of a holding cell after he was arrested by Ocala police on accusations he exposed himself at Scott Springs Park.

Over the last few years, the Marion County correctional staff has worked with Lindsay Hayes, a nationally recognized expert in the field of suicide prevention within jails, prisons and juvenile facilities. Marion County Jail staff have implemented recommendations from Hayes, who has conducted annual assessments of Marion County Jail professionals.

Winningham has been arrested eight times, six of which were since February 2013. Winningham was arrested Tuesday by Ocala police on multiple charges after leading them on a chase that ended with him being shocked with a Taser and also hit with pepper spray.

A woman had called the Ocala Police Department saying that her 18-year-old daughter has an injunction against Winningham, her former boyfriend, and that he entered their residence and destroyed property.

As officers were headed to the home, they spotted Winningham driving. He sped off and they gave chase, but Winningham was driving recklessly, so officers said they abandoned the pursuit.

Eventually, officers said they located Winningham, who refused to surrender and lunged at the officers. Winningham was hit with a Taser, but continued to be aggressive, so he also was hit with pepper spray.

He was arrested and placed in the back of a patrol car, where he slammed his head into the back of a cage frame, which split open his forehead, officials said.

Winningham was treated by emergency personnel and later was taken to the Marion County Jail. He faces several charges, including residential burglary, grand theft and violation of an injunction of protection.